About Rick C. Sasso, MD

Dr. Rick Sasso is a Spine Surgeon and President of the Indiana Spine Group. He is also Clinical Instructor at Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Additionally, Dr. Sasso holds the position of Adjunct Assistant Professor at Butler University.

Dr. Sasso earned a Medical Degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. At the University of Texas Medical School, Dr. Sasso did his Internship in Surgery and his Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery. Following training at the University of Texas, Dr. Sasso did Fellowships in Spine Surgery at Northwestern University, Baylor College of Medicine, and an AO Spine Fellowship in Switzerland. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Dr. Sasso is a member of various professional organizations including: the American College of Surgeons, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society, American Medical Association, AO Alumni Association, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Cervical Spine Research Society, Indiana State Medical Association, and the Indianapolis Medical Society.

Thus far in Dr. Sasso's medical practice and research, he has contributed three book chapters, published 16 articles in peer-reviewed journals, and 14 scientific abstracts. Additionally, he has presented over 40 scientific presentations or posters, over 90 lectures, and has been an invited faculty member for 65 major medical conferences.

11. Sasso RC, Williams JI, Dimasi N, Meyer PR: Postoperative Drains at the Donor Site of Iliac Crest Bone Grafts: A Prospective, Randomized Study of Morbidity at the Donor Site in Patients who had a Traumatic Injury of the Spine. J Bone Joint Surg 80-A:631-635, 1998.

11. "AO DC Plates with Pedicle Screws, Luque Rods with Sublaminar Wires, Harrington Rods and Hooks: Advantages and Disadvantages for Treatment of Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Fractures." Presented to the North American AOA Traveling Fellows, The University of Texas Medical School. October 24, 1990. Houston, Texas.

63. "Cages, Screws...or Both?" Interbody Spinal Fusion of the Lumbar and Cervical Spine. 15th Annual Meeting of the Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons. February 10-13, 1999. Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

64. "Cervical Spine Injuries on the Playing Field." University of Indianapolis Athletic Trainers Senior Seminar. February 15, 1999. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Articles Written by Rick C. Sasso, MD

There are presently two artificial cervical disc replacement devices that are undergoing FDA approval study in the United States: the Bryan disc and the Prestige disc. This article discusses the Prestige disc

Vertebral osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone usually caused by bacteria. In the spine it is commonly found in the vertebrae, although the infection can spread into the epidural and intervertebral disc spaces.

In the past, spine surgeons had difficulty placing screws into the proper positions in the vertebrae and still attaching the plate or rod. The VERTEX? Reconstruction System allows screws to be placed exactly where they need to go safely.

The evolution of occipitocervical fixation with advancing technology and progressive construct stability has allowed treatment of more complex craniocervical instabilities with a higher success rate...

As part of the family of nuclear imaging techniques, PET and SPECT scans are performed to detect abnormal metabolic activity, which could lead to structural changes (in the vertebrae, for example).

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